Fire Hydrant Systems
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- Category: Fire Hydrant Systems
- Published: Monday, 11 June 2018 09:18
- Written by Super User
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In a building, a fire hydrant system is a safety measure or emergency equipment required in some buildings that comprises a series of components that when assembled together provide a source of water to assist fire authorities in a fire.
Putting it another way, a fire hydrant system is a water supply with a sufficient pressure and flow delivered through pipes throughout a building to strategically located network of valves for fire-fighting purposes.
A fire hydrant is a pipe with a valve that controls the water flow from a water main in order to quench a fire. The fire hydrants may be underground and above-ground. The underground fire hydrants were in use in Asia and Europe since XVIIIth century, but the above-ground ones are in use since XIXth century.
Fire hydrants are installed on properties to enable the fire brigade to connect a fire hose to the hydrants and then release a valve to get water from the water main to commence an initial attack to limit the spread of fire, protect adjacent property and extinguish the fire. Properly trained personnel can also utilise these installations to extinguish fires at various locations on site.
Fire hydrant systems are designed and installed in accordance with Australian Standard AS2419 and comprise the following primary components;
- Water Supply & Storage
- Pipework & Valves
- Fire Brigade Booster
- Pumpset
- Hydrant, Hydrant Valve or Landing Valve & Coupling
- Layflat Fire Hose
- Block Plan
Regular maintenance and testing of fire hydrants, booster connections and associated pumpsets is imperative to ensure compliance with BCA / AS1851-2012 requirements, not to mention the protection of life and property.